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More than 90% of the salt sold is probably contaminated. Credit: Getty Images
The next time you want to add a touch of flavor to your favorite dish, chances are very good that you will also sprinkle tiny pieces of plastic on your meal.
A new study reveals that more than 90% of salt brands sold worldwide are contaminated with plastics, with the highest levels being observed for sea salt. However, even the mineral salt brands analyzed in the study were found to be contaminated with microplastics, pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters from larger plastic components that decompose in the environment.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, examined 39 brands of salt and found that only three of them were plastic-free.
The results are consistent with previous studies that revealed the presence of plastic in table salt, but this research highlights the magnitude of the problem, with salt from oceans, lakes and rocks being contaminated. The problem also seems to be worse in Asia, a region known for some of the highest levels of plastic pollution.
"The results suggest that human ingestion of microplastics by marine products is strongly related to plastic emissions in a given region," said Professor Kim of Incheon University, Seung-kyu. , author of the study. "In order to limit our exposure to microplastics, preventive measures are needed, such as the control of environmental releases of poorly managed plastics and, more importantly, the reduction of plastic waste."
The problem of microplastics in water bottles is just as serious and a recent report has revealed that even half of the freshwater insects are contaminated.
While efforts are underway to try to eliminate some of the ubiquitous plastic waste from the seas, other alternative materials are looming on the horizon, such as biodegradable plastics based on seaweeds. . But even if these efforts take off, much of the environment is already contaminated and may soon require the creation of new processes to filter the sometimes carcinogenic materials of the products we consume.
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More than 90% of the salt sold is probably contaminated. Credit: Getty Images
The next time you want to add a touch of flavor to your favorite dish, chances are very good that you will also sprinkle tiny pieces of plastic on your meal.
A new study reveals that more than 90% of salt brands sold worldwide are contaminated with plastics, with the highest levels being observed for sea salt. However, even the mineral salt brands analyzed in the study were found to be contaminated with microplastics, pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters from larger plastic components that decompose in the environment.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, examined 39 brands of salt and found that only three of them were plastic-free.
The results are consistent with previous studies that revealed the presence of plastic in table salt, but this research highlights the magnitude of the problem, with salt from oceans, lakes and rocks being contaminated. The problem also seems to be worse in Asia, a region known for some of the highest levels of plastic pollution.
"The results suggest that human ingestion of microplastics by marine products is strongly related to plastic emissions in a given region," said Professor Kim of Incheon University, Seung-kyu. , author of the study. "In order to limit our exposure to microplastics, preventive measures are needed, such as the control of environmental releases of poorly managed plastics and, more importantly, the reduction of plastic waste."
The problem of microplastics in water bottles is just as serious and a recent report has revealed that even half of the freshwater insects are contaminated.
While efforts are underway to try to eliminate some of the ubiquitous plastic waste from the seas, other alternative materials are looming on the horizon, such as biodegradable plastics based on seaweeds. . But even if these efforts take off, much of the environment is already contaminated and may soon require the creation of new processes to filter the sometimes carcinogenic materials of the products we consume.
